We recently re launched a very special program at HPL – 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten! This program has been launched in libraries across the country as an effort to increase the development of early literacy skills in young children. ‘Early literacy’ is a term we’ve been hearing a lot these days, but what does it actually mean? Early literacy is the stage before we are able to read. This stage begins at birth, and encompasses all ways to engage with letters, words, pictures. There are several ways to encourage early literacy skills, from reading, to singing, to telling a simple story of going to the grocery store. Reading to a child expands their language skills, imagination, and it is a great bonding experience that will create life-long memories.
1,000 Books Before Kindergarten is a fun way to encourage the development of early literacy skills in our little ones, while helping prepare them for Kindergarten. The program is as simple as it sounds—make a goal to read 1,000 books to your child before they are enrolled in Kindergarten. 1,000 books might seem like a lot, but if you read 3 books a night every night, that is 1,095 books in one year! It is doable! And yes, repeats count! If you read the same book ten times, it counts as 10 books.
For every 100 books you read, you will receive a prize, and after you have read 1,000 books, we will have a party to celebrate!
Throughout the program you will receive 10 consecutive reading logs, each with 100 spaces. For each book you read, you fill in a space on the log, and for each log you complete, you receive a prize.
We are excited to offer the 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten program to you and we hope you enjoy it!
Stop by the Children’s Room at any of our locations to sign up and pick up your first reading log. Every book counts, and any child not yet enrolled in Kindergarten can participate.
For more information about this nationwide program, please visit 1000booksbeforekindergarten.org.
RELATED UPCOMING PROGRAMS:
Tuesday, September 24 – Special Screening NO SMALL MATTER – The importance of early literacy (please see calendar for details)
Wednesday, October 23 – Early Literacy Specialist is coming to give a parent workshop presentation (please see calendar for details)
Written by:
Ashley Hoffman
Children’s Librarian
Need Suggestions to get started? Check out some recommendations from me and my son that we enjoyed in our own 1000 Books journey including a post about my son’s favorites, a gothic post perfect for Halloween, and one last post before my son started Kindergarten. And don’t forget reading with your kids shouldn’t end at Kindergarten. My son is in second grade now and we still enjoy reading together!
Aimee Harris, Head of Reference
Hoboken Library Staff Picks 